Meghan Markle Will Get a Cool New Royal Title When She Marries Prince Harry (It Won't Be Princess!)

Now that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are engaged, the actress is gearing up to adopt an awesome new royal title when she ties the knot with Harry in spring 2018. In fact, both Harry, 33, and his future wife, 36, will most likely receive new royal titles — remember when Prince William and Kate Middleton were announced as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after their marriage back in April 2011?

Royal historian Marlene Koenig recently told Royal Central that in the UK, a wife automatically takes on her husband's title — but Meghan would not become Princess Meghan. Instead, she would be HRH Princess Henry of Wales, which doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. Princess, after all, is a title reserved for those born into the British monarchy, so while Princess Charlotte, Pricness Eugenie, and Princess Beatrice have it, Kate does not. Similarly, "Princess Diana" was never really an official title (she was actually Diana, Princess of Wales).

It is much more likely that Harry will receive a peerage upon his marriage. "Most likely, he will be created a Duke. Sussex is available so [Meghan] would be HRH the Duchess of Sussex," Koenig explained. "Her rank would be a princess by marriage of the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and Northern Ireland." The title of Duke of Sussex was last held by Prince Augustus Frederick, the sixth son of King George III, and has not been claimed since his death in 1843. It was rumored that William would receive the title upon his marriage, but since he became Duke of Cambridge instead, it has been assumed that Sussex will be kept for Harry. If you need us, we'll be picking out our hat for the royal wedding...

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

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This post was written by Katie Rosseinsky. It originally appeared on our sister site, Grazia Daily.